ENCYCLOPEDIA MARKETPLACE FORUM Search
Visit our sponsor... Visit our sponsor...
  • Read More
  • Legendary motoring stories captured in Fine Art prints by Automobilist. Read More
  • Coachbuild Automobilia Shop: Fine Art Photography by Johan Vandenberghe Read More
  • Read More
  • Coachbuild Automobilia Shop: 39 Alfa Romeo rare factory blueprints for sale (Alfa Romeo archive).. Read More
› ‹
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Model

Bertone BMW 3200 CS Coupe
Bertone BMW 3200 CS Coupe
7.3/10 rating (4 votes)
No video selected.

Description

The 3200 CS was the last BMW with a separate chassis suitable for coachbuilding like this pillarless Coupe by Bertone. It was Giorgietto Giugiaro who did most of the styling when employed by Bertone. 

Based on the underpinnings of the 502 sedan model, the 3200 CS was designed as a transition model and made use of the same 3168 cc V8 engine. The 3200 CS was first launched at the 1961 Frankfurt Motorshow. Production started in the following year and lasted until 1965, with 583 (some sources say 603) examples produced. Bertone built one 3200 CS Convertible as a gift for BMW principle Herbert Quandt.

Concept and design

 
Side view of the 3200 CS

In 1960, Helmut Werner Bonsch, BMW's marketing manager, discovered that the Pininfarina body for the Lancia Flaminia coupe would fit on the chassis of the BMW 3200L sedan without major modification. He proposed to BMW's management to commission Pininfarina to build Flaminia coupe bodies with BMW grilles in order to create a successor to the 503, which had been discontinued in 1959.

 
1965 BMW 3200 CS.

After deliberation, the management rejected Bonsch's proposal and instead ordered chief engineer Fritz Fiedler to commission Bertone to design and manufacture a coupe body for the 3200S. This used a perimeter frame, a 3,168 cc (193.3 cu in), twin-carburetor version of the BMW OHV V8 engine, delivering 160 horsepower (120 kW), a four speed manual gear box, a live rear axle, disc brakes on the front wheels, and torsion bar springs at all four wheels.

Reception

 
The only BMW 3200 CS convertible, made for major shareholder Herbert Quandt

The 3200 CS was introduced at the 1961 Frankfurt Motor Show alongside the BMW 1500. While the 1500 represented a completely new direction for BMW, the 3200 CS was based on the chassis of a car introduced at the Frankfurt show ten years earlier.

The 3200 CS was built from January 1962 to September 1965. Sources differ concerning numbers produced.

One 3200 CS convertible was built by BMW for their major shareholder, Herbert Quandt.

Legacy

Technically, the 3200 CS was the end of an era. It was the last of BMW's early postwar luxury cars. As such, it was the last BMW automobile to have pushrod-operated engine valves, a perimeter frame, or a solid rear axle.

 

Stylistically, however, the 3200 CS gave a view of what was to come. The low beltline, tall greenhouse and thin pillars of the 3200 CS became a template for BMW's later coupes, including the 2000 C and CS coupes based on the New Class sedans, and the E9 "New Six" coupes. Both BMW cars introduced at the 1961 Frankfurt show, the 3200 CS and the 1500, featured what became known as the Hofmeister kink, but sales started only in 1962 and it was the 3200 CS, sold from February 1962, which was the first BMW offered for sale incorporating this styling cue.

Specifications

Bookmark and Share
21.03.16

Item views

5308

Search encyclopedia on keyword

See the Coachbuilders Encyclopedia for the continuously expanding overview of designers, coachbuilders and their numerous creations from past to present.

ENCYCLOPEDIAFind a car

Join our Coachbuilders Forum for additional coachbuilders related info, details, provenance, images and questions.

FORUM Search

MARKETPLACERates

AUTOMOBILIA SHOP

  • 1

TESTIMONIALS

I am not a natural flatterer, I like to think that I "tell it like it is", politely I hope. So when I tell you that I am very impressed by the contents of your website, it is just not English politeness. I of course love the subject matter but you deal with it in an energetic and respectful manner. I am overwhelmed by the research that has gone into compiling the list of coachbuilders/bodybuilders for Europe and North America. I have never heard of the vast majority of them. Congratulations on an excellent website.
- N. Maltby of Car Scene International

We use Coachbuild.com almost daily as our main reference source!
- Schloss Dyck Classic Days

We use Coachbuild.com all the time for references!
- Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

We are very impressed by your website!
- Bicester Heritage UK

To Top


VintageAutoPosters West Coast Motors - Harley-Davidson Specials